Chapter 182 Alessia’s Story
Alessias POV
My father's question lingers in my head…
“How did the both of you survive all these years alone?"
I do not know how to begin to answer him. I exhale deeply..
“I grew up in the Sirrano mansion.” I begin
Father turns to me surprised "Your Mother remained even after she heard of my rumoured death ?”
I nod "I think she felt connected to it because of you. Maybe she thought one day we will be reunited.”
He gulps hard "The sirranos allowed you to stay ?”
I let out a dark chuckle “I am not certain allowed is the right word.”
His face scrunches up in a frown “Alessia what are you not telling me?”
“Mom was treated as a scullery Maid,we worked for Room and Board.”
My words, although whispered with a low voice, seem to echo in the plane. My father flinches as if the words physically hurt him
“You can not be serious!”
“She made their meals when no one else was available.” I continue quietly “Made the beds ,cleaned for them, cleaned after their guests.”
He clenches the arm rests tightly .. “But that makes no sense they knew.” He mutters as if in a trance.
Then his voice sharpens. “Your mother was my Bond mate ,we were married at La Casa. Sirrano Matriarch knew. They wouldn't…” His anguish shifts something in my chest.
“Oh but they did Father.” I interrupt softly “And they took pleasure in doing it.”
His eyes narrows reducing into slits but he doesn't say anything.
“I did not know about you.” I continued “Even if I could not fight them ..”
I turn away remembering the long days and even shorter nights of the back breaking work we did . Why didn't my mother ever tell me who my father really was ?
Sighing I know why ,She knows if she had told me I would have never cleaned up after them.
“Mother at least never said you abandoned us even if she felt that way.” I whispered ..
His breath falters. “She just said you disappeared at sea . I found out who you were at the coven.”
He turns to me eyes seeking for forgiveness “Alessia please believe me I did not abdanon-”
“Dad you already told me what happened” I say gently
“But growing up I didn't know anything.”
He seems to be pondering over all I have said and I let him. My father slowly lets out a resigned sigh “And she endures all of this?”
“Yes and to be fair I think she stayed because she wanted me to have stability.” I whisper gently to take the edge of my words.
His lips curl into a sad smile
“She was always putting other people's needs above her own.”
I gulp hard “She always told me stories about you and your accomplishments at sea.”
His eyes shine once more with unshed tears “She was my biggest fan , she believed in me.”
“More than anyone else in the world.” I add
“Why did you stay on when she died?.”He asks quietly
My chest tightens painfully.
“They stole La Rosa just a few short months after and everything started to fall apart after that .”
I glanced at him for a moment “And to be honest I didn't tie the two events together until after .I thought it was a brief illness.”
His face contorts into a dark scowl “At least know we know the truth and the culprit.”
“Yes we do.” I mumble and to be honest there is a sort of peace that comes with knowing the full story . I have Alex to thank for that. Turning my head to the front he seems to be having a conversation with Luca . Their heads bowed together speaking quietly .
Dad glances towards them as well “Alex got a PI to crack the case , even though Padre had already insinuated La Geneva might be involved.”
“Had you known anything about your world and La Geneva before your mother passed away?”
I shake my head “I didn't even know about magic or that the coven existed.”
He turned to me surprised “You mother didn't fill you in?”
“No I think she thought ignorance was bliss in my case.”
But just like Padre likes to say "Destiny can only be delayed but it can't be changed"
My father turned to me “So when La Rosa was taken what did the Sirrano family do ?”
“They pointed fingers at me and threw me in the dungeon, kept me there for three days.”
His eyes widens with anger “They must know that if you or your mother had wanted to take it you would have done that long ago?”
His veins are visible protruding on his neck he appears to be keeping himself seated by sheer force.
\-I remember the day clearly as if it was yesterday. How everyone turned against me, even the friends I had made . How I was dragged and disgraced .
“They all knew it made no sense yet no one listened to me.” I add softly
He clenched his fists tightly “How did you make it out of there?”
I smile as I remember him “Gio helped me out.”
“Giovanni was a good friend of mine and your mother's.” Father whispers
“He is the reason I am here today ..” I whisper
“I owe Gio my life.”I add silently
“How did he free you?”Father asks curiously.
“He bribed the guards then opened my cell and showed me the back alley exit.”
My father leans back shutting his eyes slowly ,almost like my story has drained him.
“I owe Gio a great deal.”
“So do I unfortunately we will never be able to pay in.” I add silently .
I do not think my father is ready for any more bad news right now so I don't tell him of Gio's untimely passing yet .
He looks at me again “After you escaped, where did you go ?”
I pause for a moment...
"I lodged at the closest dingy motel and walked into a club the next day to get a job."
“You must have been very afraid..” he adds softly
“I was petrified…” I smile “But when I walked into the club something happened.”
He lifts his brow “What happened ?”
“I met Alex. He owns the club I walked into.”
La Magerita ,I will never forget!
My father turns to Alex again “It was his club you walked into ?.”
“Yes he owns it and several other businesses.” I reply dryly
“And what about Luca?” He asks
“Luca is Alex's best friend we met at The Ferrini mansion ..”
My father studies Luca for a moment before nodding “And the ladies?”
“I met Angelica on our way to La Casa .Lucy and Hugh are from La Casa.”
He looks around at all my friends:
Lucy
Angelica
Luca
Hugh and finally
Alex
Then he turns back to me as pride shines brightly in his eyes. “You created your own family.”
My chest tightens ,warmth blooming and spreading
“Yes.”
He is quiet for a moment before He adds “You went through far more than I ever expected in the hands of family no less.”
I wave it away shrugging “It's not like life gave me any other choices.”
“No it didn't," he says gently.
I exhale deeply, my heart feels lighter . My shoulders feel less burdened . It actually feels good to let it all out at once . My father reaches over placing his large hands on mine . And for the first time since we were reunited .I feel something I haven't felt in a while .
I feel peace radiating from my soul...